Abstract

SYNERGISTIC ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF COCCINIA GRANDIS LEAVES AND CUSCUTA REFLEXA STEMS

Hachhina Akter, Hasna Akter and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Coccinia grandis and Cuscuta reflexa are two common vinous plants that are frequently found growing in the fallow lands and roadsides of Bangladesh. Since both plants reportedly have antihyperglycemic activity, it was of interest to determine whether this activity is synergistic when extracts of the two plants are administered in combination. Methods. Antihyperglycemic activity was determined through oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in mice. Results. Administration of methanol extract of leaves of Coccinia grandis (MECG) to glucose-loaded mice at a dose of 400 mg per kg body weight led to reductions in blood glucose levels by 33.8%. Administration of methanol extract of stems of Cuscuta reflexa (MECR) to glucose-loaded mice at a dose of 400 mg per kg body weight led to reductions in blood glucose levels by 29.4%. When (MECG + MECR) was administered to mice at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg each per kg body weight, the percent reductions in blood glucose were, respectively, 33.8, 38.9 and 44.3%. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, when administered at a dose of 10 mg per kg reduced blood glucose level by 44.9%. Conclusion. A combination of methanol extract of leaves of Coccinia grandis and stems of Cuscuta reflexa can act as a substitute for glibenclamide.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Coccinia grandis, Cuscuta reflexa, OGTT.